"I have no mouth - I must scream" - exhibition reviewed

By Whitney Highum

What: I have no mouth - I must scream

Exhibition featuring international artists such as: Zbigniew Libera (PL), Avdej Ter-Oganjan (RU), Václav Magid (RU), Milan Kozelka (CZ)

Where: Galerie Truhla, Truhlářská 11

I went to this opening with no expectations, and still managed to be disappointed.  Descending into the bunker-like backroom basement of an inauspicious doorway, I have to admit my interest peaked. 

However, when the first noticeable artwork came into view, I didn't struggle to overcome my American modesty to take in the portrait of a naked man holding himself.  As much as I wanted to appreciate the attempt at provoking uncomfortable feelings in its viewers, I couldn’t help but miss the artistic aspect of the piece.  The rest also failed to impress.  A small video of a woman holding a blank sign in Old Town square seemed to be less entertaining and interesting than this concept’s potential.  The seeming “saving grace” of the exhibition was simply a video of people riding escalators.  The simplicity of the concept was glaringly obvious, however, the use of materials – the video was projected onto the uneven brick walls of the art space giving it a fascinating, gritty, three dimensional quality – was intriguing.  Another "highlight" (if it can be called that) was a giant roll of toilet paper on the floor.  I admit that when it comes to this type of artistic endeavour, I am not an expert, but I am at a loss as to when art ceased to be about eliciting emotion or interest, or even aesthetic appeal and started being more about how “complex” the artist can try to appear.  I left when the live performance consisted more of ear-piercing microphone interference than any type of “music”.  And leaving was the most poignant feeling I took away from this opening.  So if that was the artists’ intention then bravo.